www.eliotgrasso.com

Eliot Grasso is one of the foremost Irish musicians in North America. Critics say that his “intuitive sense of melodic and technical variation make him one of the most creative and dynamic musicians in the contemporary world of Irish traditional music,” and “one of the finest uilleann pipers in the history of Irish music in America.”

He has performed for the National Heritage Awards, for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton at the National Endowment for the Arts Awards, for Irish President Mary Robinson, Irish Ambassador to the United States Sean O hUigin, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, President of Sinn Féin Gerry Adams, and other heads of state.

Eliot has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Constitution Hall, the Library of Congress, the National Building Museum, National Geographic, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin, Ireland), Sterling Castle (Sterling, Scotland), and the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore, MD).

He has also appeared as a guest artist on National Public Radio for “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor, and for RTE’s Irish traditional music program “The Rolling Wave,” presented by Peter Browne in Dublin, Ireland. Eliot has performed with actor Russell Crowe, The Chieftains, the Green Fields of America, Distinguished Global Professor of Ethnomusicology Dr. Mick Moloney, and Ensemble Galilei.

Dr. Eliot Grasso currently serves as Vice President of Gutenberg College, a classical Liberal Arts college, where he teaches music, art, philosophy, and history. He holds a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Oregon, a M.A. in ethnomusicology from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick in Ireland, and a B.A. in music from Goucher College.

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Eliot Grasso, a prominent figure in Irish traditional music and an academic, shares his journey through music, education, and the pursuit of beauty, truth, and goodness. He reflects on the influence of his family and community in shaping his musical identity, the aesthetic experience of music, and the importance of teaching as a means to cultivate humanity. Dr. Grasso emphasizes the significance of love and human connection in education and the arts, while also discussing his current projects and the technical aspects of the uilleann pipes. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the role of art in the church and society, advocating for a deeper engagement with beauty and creativity.

Takeaways

Dr. Grasso grew up in a musical household, influencing his love for music.

The community played a significant role in his musical development.

Beauty in music is tied to order, clarity, and emotional impact.

Teaching is about helping students realize their value beyond performance.

Education should allow space for personal and cultural complexities.

Love is essential in human relationships and education.

Music can help individuals access their humanity in a fast-paced world.

Current projects include improvisational music and essential uilleann piping tunes.

The uilleann pipes have unique tuning and technical aspects that influence performance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Uilleann Pipes and Musical Background

02:08 The Aesthetic Experience of Music

04:57 Teaching and the Pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

08:18 The Role of Education in Personal Development

10:57 The Importance of Love in Education

14:04 The Master-Apprentice Model in Music Education

17:00 The Significance of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

20:03 The Impact of Efficiency on Humanity

23:14 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

26:19 The Uilleann Pipe: Structure and Tuning

29:09 Humanizing Music and the Art of Interpretation

32:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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